Pop-ups, banners, Spam

  • Thread starter Thread starter Clay Oehlert
  • Start date Start date
C

Clay Oehlert

This is probably the most requested answer to a problem,
but I am really plagued with pop-ups. I have tried just
about everything but can't stop them. I have tried the
Google Tool Bar (which is supposed to stop them, but
don't). I have tried some of the programs, i.e. adaware,
etc. to no avail. What can I do to put a stop to these
things. Is there any way it can be done. Please, I am
desperate. Thanks. Please e-mail me with a solution.
Clay
 
I recommend using Norton Internet Security because it's an
all-in-one package that includes an antivirus, firewall,
and popup prevention programs. It also automatically
updates itself with the most current virus and security
definition files to combat the latest viruses.

Norton Internet Security 2004
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_pe/

Includes:
.. Norton AntiVirus - protects your PC from viruses
.. Norton Personal Firewall - defends against hackers
.. Norton Privacy Control - keeps your personal information private
.. Norton Intrusion Detection - detects and blocks online security breaches
.. Norton Spam Alert - filters unwanted e-mail
.. Norton Parental Control - keeps your children safe on the Internet from porn


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


| This is probably the most requested answer to a problem,
| but I am really plagued with pop-ups. I have tried just
| about everything but can't stop them. I have tried the
| Google Tool Bar (which is supposed to stop them, but
| don't). I have tried some of the programs, i.e. adaware,
| etc. to no avail. What can I do to put a stop to these
| things. Is there any way it can be done. Please, I am
| desperate. Thanks. Please e-mail me with a solution.
| Clay
 
Greetings --

There are at least three varieties of pop-ups, and the solutions
vary accordingly. Which specific type(s) is troubling you?

1) Does the title bar of these pop-ups read "Messenger Service?"

This type of spam has become quite common over the past several
months, and unintentionally serves as a valid security "alert." It
demonstrates that you haven't been taking sufficient precautions while
connected to the Internet. Your data probably hasn't been compromised
by these specific advertisements, but if you're open to this exploit,
you may well be open to other threats, such as the Blaster Worm that
recently swept cross the Internet. Install and use a decent,
properly configured firewall. (Merely disabling the messenger
service, as some people recommend, only hides the symptom, and does
little or nothing to truly secure your machine.) And ignoring or just
"putting up with" the security gap represented by these messages is
particularly foolish.

Messenger Service of Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;168893

Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement
Appears
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904

Stopping Advertisements with Messenger Service Titles
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp

Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Oh, and be especially wary of people who advise you to do nothing
more than disable the messenger service. Disabling the messenger
service, by itself, is a "head in the sand" approach to computer
security. The real problem is _not_ the messenger service pop-ups;
they're actually providing a useful, if annoying, service by acting as
a security alert. The true problem is the unsecured computer, and
you've been advised to merely turn off the warnings. How is this
helpful?

2) For regular Internet pop-ups, you might try the free 12Ghosts
Popup-killer from http://12ghosts.com/ghosts/popup.htm, Pop-Up
Stopper from http://www.panicware.com/, or the Google Toolbar from
http://toolbar.google.com/. Myself, I use Norton Internet Security,
which, in addition to containing Norton Anti-Virus and Personal
Firewall, also blocks many of the pop-up adds on the Internet.

3) For pop-ups caused by some sort of "adware" and/or "spyware,"
such as Gator, Comet Cursors, or Bonzai Buddy, that you've
deliberately installed, two products that are quite effective at
finding and removing scumware are Ad-Aware from www.lavasoft.de and
SpyBot Search and Destroy from http://security.kolla.de/. Both have
free evaluation versions.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
 
Carey Frisch [MVP] rambled on in microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers:
I recommend using Norton Internet Security because it's an
all-in-one package that includes an antivirus, firewall,
and popup prevention programs. It also automatically
updates itself with the most current virus and security
definition files to combat the latest viruses.

Norton Internet Security 2004
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_pe/

Includes:
. Norton AntiVirus - protects your PC from viruses
. Norton Personal Firewall - defends against hackers
. Norton Privacy Control - keeps your personal information private
. Norton Intrusion Detection - detects and blocks online security breaches
. Norton Spam Alert - filters unwanted e-mail
. Norton Parental Control - keeps your children safe on the Internet from porn
Click to expand...

If you're running XP Pro you may want to disable messenger service as well.
 
Greetings --

Or to act as a warning that your firewall has failed.... ;-}

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


You can also disable the Messenger Service in Windows XP. However,
when you
disable the messenger service, it is no longer available for receiving
legitimate messages,
such as administrative alerts and notifications from antivirus
programs.

Ref:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
 
I have been using Norton Internet Security for several months and now
suddenly it is not blocking any pop ups or ads at all. My Personal
Firewall is set on the high setting and Ad Blocking is turned on. I
can't seem to find any answers at Symantec. Please help!!!!
 
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